Will file charge sheet against Maran: CBI to SC

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday told the Supreme Court that it would be filing a charge sheet against former telecom minister Dayanidhi Maran in the Aircel, Maxis deal by the end of this month.

Senior counsel KK Venugopal, appearing for the CBI, told the apex court bench headed by justice HL Dattu that the charge sheet would be based on evidence collected within the country as the Malaysian authorities were refusing to co-operate.

Venugopal told the court that "we have problem about Malaysia. For the last two years they are asking proof of criminality. They even wrote a strongly worded letter to our ambassador pointing to the various statements being made in India".

At this, justice Dattu said the Union of India will have to take up this matter. Venugopal said some strong measures will have to be taken.

The CBI on Tuesday told the court that it needed a replacement for special public prosecutor UU Lalit whose name has been recommended for judgeship in the Supreme Court.

The court asked Venugopal to suggest three names of independent people to be considered by it.